Steamboat Register

Thames Esperanza

Status: No longer a Steamer - Converted to Electric

Owner: D. Roberts

Area: UK-Thames

Hull

Cabin/Saloon Launch. Construction: Double-diagonal mahogany.
Built 1898 by J. Bond at Maidenhead
LOA: 52' 0", LWL: 45' 0", Beam: 7' 6", Draft: 3' 9",
Clipper bow, counter stern, wheel steering, steam heated aft saloon, 3 berths, white, varnished teak saloon, deck and interior, 7 knots

Boiler

Lune Valley type WT Built 1980 by John Ashton at Wallingford
Fuel: Oil,
V centre drum.

Engine

Twin. 5" + 5" X 6"
Built by W. Pope & Son at Gotha Works, Slough
sv valve. SLRG valve gear.
27 IHP, 250 rpm, Xhead driven feed and air pumps, Kcond, 12 volt turbo generator.

Propeller

3 blades, 30" X 46"

History

Built as electric launch ESPERANZA, damaged by fire 1911 owned C. Fenner. 1913 owned Brooke Hitchins. Later converted motor drive, later owned J. Bond, and Golding Bros, Windsor. Acquired 1968 hull restored and plant fitted by L.J.M. Weaver 1968-70 and re named. Acquired at Phillips Auction, Henley, July 1992. A letter dated 1911 states she was built in 1896 by S.E. Saunders, Goring on Thames.

Last Modified: 2015.05.21.